While numbers were a little bit disappointing, Northern Inland girls cricket program co-ordinator Colin Starkey was pleased with the overall standard of the girls in this year’s event.

The event was a 40 over match consisting of two 20 over innings per team.

Armidale’s Margaret Conroy and Inverell’s Chloe Johnston skippered the New England team, while Elsie Ford led the Narrabri side.

The match saw some great batting from young Armidale player Sophie Parsons, who for the New England team batted out 20 overs for 29 not out, bowled strongly and from the field hit the stumps three times.

Elsie Ford led from the front for the home side along with Caitlyn Ford, the pair batting solidly in a 50+-run partnership and finishing unbeaten on 25.

New England reached 120 off their first dig and then restricted Narrabri to 96. It proved to be a match-winning lead with Narrabri making 76 to New England’s 65 in the second go.

It’s the first time Narrabri have suffered defeat, having been the competition champions the past two years.

The 2018-19 event will undertake a format revamp.

To be called the Northern Inland Girls Cup, each town will be asked to host a 9-a-side stage 2 match with a 132G ball before the end of October

The winners of the six games will then play against their neighbouring associations in November ahead of a final in early December between the two top teams.

Meanwhile trials for the Cricket NSW Central North Academy for girls will be conducted in Tamworth on April 7 starting at 10.30am.

For enquiries please contact manager Maree Knight on 0428 773024.

To be eligible for the academy program players must be aged 12 to 18 years and playing some form of cricket at a representative level be that CHS, PSSA or community cricket.